US President Donald Trump said on arrival in Scotland that European countries need to “get more proactive” on immigration.
Mr Trump is in the country for a four-day visit, visiting both his golf clubs in Aberdeen and Ayrshire.
Landing at around 8.30pm on Friday, the president was met by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray before addressing reporters.
Asked about illegal immigration, which British governments have sought to tackle, Mr Trump said: “On immigration, you need to address that immediately.
“You will no longer have Europe, you need to get your affairs in order.
“As you know, last month no one entered our country – absolutely no one, [we] closed the borders.”
He added: “You have to stop this terrible invasion that is happening in Europe.”
Mr Trump says immigration is “destroying Europe”.
Some European leaders, he continued, “did not allow this to happen” and “did not receive due credit,” although the president did not specify whom he meant.
Mr Trump said: “Many countries in Europe, some people, some leaders, did not allow this to happen, and they do not get the recognition they deserve.”
The president also praised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of a planned meeting at one of his golf courses in the coming days, calling him a “good man”.
“I like your prime minister. He's a little more liberal than I am, as you may have heard, but he's a good man. He got a trade deal done,” he said.
“You know, they've been working on this deal for 12 years, he's got it done – it's a good deal, it's a good deal for the UK.”
The president's motorcade of more than two dozen cars passed a small group of protesters as he drove into his Turnberry Golf Club.
Mr Trump also said he would meet Mr Starmer “tomorrow evening”, although the meeting is not expected to take place until Monday.
In addition to the British prime minister, the president will meet with Scottish First Minister John Swinney, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who confirmed on social media platform X that she will be visiting Scotland on Sunday to discuss a trade deal between the US and Europe.
Mr Trump told reporters there was a “50/50” chance of a deal being struck, adding it would be “the biggest deal ever”.
The president and Mr Starmer are expected to discuss possible changes to the UK-US trade deal that came into force last month.
Mr Swinney promised to “speak up for Scotland”.
As he boarded Air Force One in the US, Mr Trump said he would have lunch with the prime minister in Turnberry before “heading to the oil capital of Europe, Aberdeen”.
He said: “We'll have a great time. I think I have a good relationship with the Prime Minister.”
Mr Trump added: “We're going to discuss the trade agreement that we made and maybe even approve it.”
He also told reporters he was “looking forward” to meeting “Scottish leader” Mr Swinney, calling him a “good man”.
The president is likely to spark a number of protests during his stay in Scotland, with concerns being raised about how police will police the demonstrations.
Police Scotland has asked for support from other UK forces to boost numbers, although senior officers and the organisation representing rank and file officers acknowledged Mr Trump's visit would have an impact.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
